Clayton Kershaw has had some nagging injuries in recent seasons, so you can understand why Los Angeles Dodgers fans were alarmed to hear that he is being shut down indefinitely after a bullpen session this week that did not go well. However, the left-hander insists it is not time to panic.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Friday that Kershaw “just didn’t feel right” after his Wednesday bullpen session. That immediately made people think of his balky back, but Roberts says the discomfort is not related to that.
#Dodgers Dave Roberts said Clayton Kershaw told him after bullpen session Wednesday that "he just didn't feel right." Given Thursday off, just doing work in weight room today. Won't throw for "a couple days."
"Not his back," Roberts said. "We're not alarmed."— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 22, 2019
Kershaw later spoke with the media, and he did not confirm nor deny that his back is bothering him. He instead downplayed whatever it is that is bothering him.
Asked specifically if it was back-related. Kershaw: "I'm just taking a few days. I'm not going to be super-specific right now. But I should be playing catch in the next few days and kind of go from there. This is super early. I just want to make sure things are right." #Dodgers
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 22, 2019
Kershaw has not thrown more than 200 innings in a season since 2016, and his velocity was way down over last year. Despite that, he still finished with a 2.73 ERA last season in 26 starts, and the Dodgers felt confident enough in his health to sign him to a three-year, $93 million extension back in November. There’s nothing wrong with playing it safe in February, but any issue Kershaw experiences is always going to lead to injury questions.
